Affluenza: When too much is never enough

Clive Hamilton · Richard Denniss

Jun 2005 · Allen & Unwin

About this ebook

The Western world is in the grip of a consumerism that is unique in human history. We overwork, we spend huge amounts on things we never use, then we chuck them out. The author of the bestselling Growth Fetish pries into our wardrobes, kitchens and backyards, and shows us what choice really means.

Our houses are bigger than ever, but our families are smaller. Our kids go to the best schools we can afford, but we hardly see them. We've got more money to spend, yet we're further in debt than ever before. What is going on?

The Western world is in the grip of a consumption binge that is unique in human history. We aspire to the lifestyles of the rich and famous at the cost of family, friends and personal fulfilment. Rates of stress, depression and obesity are up as we wrestle with the emptiness and endless disappointments of the consumer life.

Affluenza pulls no punches, claiming our whole society is addicted to overconsumption. It tracks how much Australians overwork, the growing mountains of stuff we throw out, the drugs we take to 'self-medicate' and the real meaning of 'choice'. Fortunately there is a cure. More and more Australians are deciding to ignore the advertisers, reduce their consumer spending and recapture their time for the things that really matter.

'Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss at the Australia Institute never disappoint they set out on paths others don't go down, then explore without fear or favour and finally draw conclusions about modern Australia, warts and all. It's all accompanied by passion which is why the results cannot be ignored.' - Geraldine Doogue, ABC broadcaster

'Fascinating at the same time a call to arms and a chill-pill, Affluenza challenges not just individuals, but society itself.' - Adam Spencer, comedian, mathematician and radio DJ

Ratings and reviews

If you were to believe everything that this book tries to teach you it would destroy the rule of law and capitalism. They even make the point that those with wealth often use it to better the lives of others around them all while preaching taking it away from them and establishing socialism as a standard for American living. They hate high prices and consumerism but preach the Keynesian economic policy of demand side economics that got us there in the first place. They have no proven or real solutions to Affluenza and they even admit that they don't know how their policy would affect society.

About the author

Clive Hamilton is the author of Growth Fetish, and Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Australia's foremost public interest think tank. Described as Australia's most amazing economist', he has held visiting positions at the Australian National University, the University of Sydney and the University of Cambridge. Richard Denniss is Deputy Director of the Australia Institute. He has taught economics at the University of Newcastle and was Chief of Staff to Senator Natasha Stott Despoja.